Directors
-
Dan Knight FCA CTA MCIArb
Director
Dan joined the practice in 2019 having previously worked for a regional firm culminating as Head of Rural Tax.
Having grown up on a dairy farm on the Dorset/Somerset border, Dan spent a number of years working in agriculture before becoming a Chartered Accountant and a Chartered Tax Adviser. Harnessing both his practical and professional experience, Dan has spent the last decade advising farming businesses across the region on a wide range of issues.
Passionate about his work, Dan specialises in succession planning and restructuring, helping farming families to implement change, accomplish their ambition and enhance the legacy for future generations.
Dan is a keen shot in the field or facing the trap and thoroughly enjoys supporting his young son on the football field.
Dan Knight FCA CTA MCIArb
Director
-
Margaret Scarrott FCCA BIAC
Director
Margaret has been in practice in the South West for over 20 years after qualifying as a Certified Chartered Accountant in London. Margaret is frequently called upon to help with partnership capital tax planning and family business reorganisations.
Margaret is a member of the British Institute of Agricultural Consultants and has been a member of the CLA National Taxation Committee, the Somerset CLA Committee, Cannington College Corporation and the Bath & West Conference Committee in the past. Margaret farms with her husband on the Somerset and Devon border. She is a keen supporter of Young Farmers and is a club leader and is on the advisory of Honiton YFC. Entertaining family and friends takes up much of Margaret’s spare time.
Margaret Scarrott FCCA BIAC
Director
-
Mark Seager FCCA
Director
Mark previously worked alongside one of our directors, Dan Knight and our Senior Tax Manager, Victoria Paley at a regional practice. Mark brings along a wealth of experience in both accountancy and rural life having grown up helping on his family farm with both the practical side and the VAT returns from an early age. His passion for agriculture, interest in business and desire to help others grew after he graduated from Harper Adams University.
Mark specialises in business strategy, structure and tax planning with agriculture.
Mark Seager FCCA
Director
Senior Managers
-
Alice Chapple FCCA ACIPP
Senior Manager
Alice joined Evolution ABS in July 2013 after completing her A Levels at the Woodroffe School. She has completed her AAT with Richard Huish College, and was nominated for higher apprentice of the year in Somerset and finished in the top 3. Alice became a fully qualified Chartered Certified accountant in May 2018, and has since completed her Payroll Technician Certificate and oversees our payroll department.
In her spare time, she is an active member of Axminster Young Farmers, and enjoys being in the countryside and walking her two dogs. She also enjoys helping her family and her husband on their dairy farms in East Devon.
Alice Chapple FCCA ACIPP
Senior Manager
-
Callum Somers FCCA
Senior Manager
Growing up on a Dairy farm in East Devon, Callum joined Evolution ABS in 2010 and qualified as a Certified Chartered Accountant in 2015. Callum looks after a wide variety of clients, helping them meet their accountancy, payroll and tax needs.
Outside of work Callum is a very keen sportsman and particularly enjoys a game of golf or playing football for his local club.
Callum Somers FCCA
Senior Manager
-
Victoria Paley ACA CTA
Senior Tax Manager
Victoria joined the practice in July 2019 having worked in accountancy and tax in the rural sector since 2010. As a Chartered Accountant and Chartered Tax Adviser Victoria spends most of her time advising family farming businesses on Capital Gains Tax and Inheritance Tax matters primarily in relation to succession planning and capital transactions.
Outside of work Victoria spends most of her time running around after her two young children and riding her horse. Having always loved to travel, Victoria hopes to resume exploring the world with her family once the children are a little older!
Victoria Paley ACA CTA
Senior Tax Manager
Managers
-
Dawn Radford ACCA
Assistant Manager
Dawn joined Evolution ABS in April 2018, having progressed her career at a firm specialising in the agricultural industry, and completed her ACCA Qualification in October 2019.
Dawn grew up on her family robotic dairy farm in Mid Devon and is now an active member of Withleigh Young Farmers and is currently Devon Federation of Young Farmers competition chairman.
In her spare time she enjoys cooking, walking and cycling.
Dawn Radford ACCA
Assistant Manager
-
Ellie Hammett FCCA
Manager
Ellie started with Evolution ABS in April 2010 and became a fully qualified as a Chartered Certified accountant in December 2015. Ellie manages a portfolio of agricultural clients and enjoys assisting clients in all aspects of accountancy and taxation.
Ellie grew up on her parents’ dairy farm in Dorset before her family moved to Devon in 1998. She now lives with her husband and two boys on their family beef, sheep and arable farm in East Devon.
In her spare time (although with two young sons, this is rare!), Ellie enjoys spending time with her family and friends and enjoys the odd bit of retail therapy when time allows. She spends a lot of time outside with the boys, who currently share the same passion for farming as their Dad!
Ellie can be contacted in the office on Mondays – Thursdays.
Ellie Hammett FCCA
Manager
-
Louise Heywood FCCA
Manager
Lou has worked with Margaret since 2006 and is a qualified Chartered Certified Accountant. Lou has an agricultural based portfolio and enjoys assisting farmers in all aspects of accountancy and taxation. She can be reached in the office on a Monday, Tuesday or Thursday.
Lou has a very happy (most of the time!) and young energetic daughter, who takes up the majority of her free time. They both enjoy going back Lou's parents dairy farm and helping out when they can, with her daughter also showing a passion for farming.
Louise Heywood FCCA
Manager
-
Peter Noble ACA CTA
Tax Adviser
-
Rosie Bennett FCCA
Manager
Rosie joined Evolution ABS in 2012 and became ACCA qualified in July 2017.
When Rosie isn’t working, she is very active within Young Farmers and is currently the National Federation of Young Farmers Chairman.
She also enjoys showing Holstein Dairy Cattle, helping her parents on their dairy and poultry farm and cycling.
Rosie Bennett FCCA
Manager
The Team
-
Becky Lee MAAT
Accounts Technician
Becky joined Evolution ABS in 2018, after completing her A Levels and Level 3 AAT at Bridgwater and Taunton College. She then went on to complete her Level 4 AAT in 2019.
In her spare time, Becky enjoys helping her family on their mixed arable and beef farm. Becky has recently handed over the reins of club treasurer for Wiveliscombe Young Farmers, as well as her leadership role within Girl Guiding in order to free up her time to study towards her ATT qualification.
Becky Lee MAAT
Accounts Technician
-
Chloe Bussell MAAT
Accounts Technician
Chloe joined the Evolution ABS team in July 2017 as an apprentice accountant after completing her A Levels at The King’s School, Ottery St. Mary. She has recently completed her ACCA exams.
Outside of work, Chloe enjoys riding her horse and walking her dog in her free time alongside photography.
Chloe Bussell MAAT
Accounts Technician
-
Chloe Fewings BSc (Hons)
Accounts Trainee
Chloe joined Evolution ABS in September 2020 after graduating from The Royal Agricultural University in July 2020, where she studied BSc (Hons) Rural Land Management.
Chloe is now working towards her ACCA qualification.
In her spare time Chloe enjoys helping out on her parents dairy and arable farms, and playing hockey.
Chloe Fewings BSc (Hons)
Accounts Trainee
-
Danielle Gay MAAT
Finance and Marketing Coordinator
Dani joined Evolution ABS in August 2019 and completed her AAT studies in August 2022.
She forms part of our tax team and assists Dan and Victoria with the delivery of various tax projects. Dani also helps Becky our Office Manager with the day to day running of the practice.
Dani grew up on a dairy farm in East Devon and when she is not working, she enjoys being out in the countryside with her Cocker Spaniel and catching up with friends and family.
Danielle Gay MAAT
Finance and Marketing Coordinator
-
Emma-May Manning MAAT
Accounts Technician
Emma-May joined the firm in August 2019 following her A Levels and is now studying towards her ACCA qualification.
In her spare time, Emma does Karate and is a Girlguiding Leader, she also enjoys spending time with her friends.
Emma-May Manning MAAT
Accounts Technician
-
Ethan Channing
Accounts Trainee
Ethan joined Evolution ABS in September 2020 after completing his A-Levels at Richard Huish College and is now studying towards his AAT Level 4 qualification.
When Ethan isn’t working, he enjoys spending time with friends and family.
Ethan Channing
Accounts Trainee
-
Fay Hole FMAAT MATT AATQB
Accounts & Tax Technician
Fay joined Margaret's previous firm of accountants in 2007 as an apprentice and moved with Margaret when Evolution ABS started in November 2009. Fay has qualified in both Association of Accounting Technician and Association of Taxation Technician.
In Fay's spare time she enjoys catching up with friends, walking with her family and their dog in the countryside or on the netball court shooting some hoops.
Fay can be contacted in the office from Tuesday to Thursday 9am to 3pm.
Fay Hole FMAAT MATT AATQB
Accounts & Tax Technician
-
Hugh Harris
Accounts Trainee
Hugh joined the team in March 2021 having previously worked in the arboricultural industry.
He is currently studying towards his AAT Level 4 qualification.
Outside of work Hugh enjoys field sports and is a keen rugby player and cricketer.
Hugh Harris
Accounts Trainee
-
Jack Simmons BSc(Hons)
Accounts Trainee
Jack joined Evolution ABS in December 2023 after relocating back to the South West from another firm in London. He graduated from Bath Spa University in July 2021, where he studied BSc (Hons) Biology.
Jack is now working towards his ACCA qualification.
In his spare time Jack enjoys volunteering for his local British Legion and is a keen swimmer.
Jack Simmons BSc(Hons)
Accounts Trainee
-
Katie Kunda MAAT
Accounts Technician
Katie started at Evolution ABS in August 2019 after doing her A Levels at Richard Huish College whilst working the office of her family business. She is currently studying towards her ACCA qualification.
In her spare time, Katie is an active member of Honiton Young Farmers and enjoys helping out on the family farm.
Katie Kunda MAAT
Accounts Technician
-
Lisa Sampson
Senior Accounts Assistant
Lisa has worked with Margaret since 2002 and having had 2 children, now works part time. Lisa has a wealth of experience and knowledge and oversees our bookkeeping services. Lisa can be contacted in the office on Monday, Tuesday and Friday.
Outside of work Lisa enjoys horse riding and point-to-point racing.
Lisa Sampson
Senior Accounts Assistant
-
Megan Farmer BSc (Hons)
Accounts Trainee
Megan joined Evolution ABS in July 2023 after graduating from Plymouth University in June 2023, having studied BSc (Hons) Agricultural management.
Megan is now working towards attaining her ACCA qualification.
In her spare time, Megan enjoys cooking, walking, and spending time with her friends and family.
Megan Farmer BSc (Hons)
Accounts Trainee